Laurich Salvages Win For U-Hi

It is difficult to describe the emotion-draining tension and excitement that has come to be expected when University and Gonzaga Prep wrestlers meet.

The two teams outdid themselves Wednesday when the Titans salvaged a 27-26 victory on Magellan Laurich’s will to survive.

Laurich was steaming toward a seemingly comfortable victory to cap U-Hi’s comeback when, in the words of Titan coach Don Owen, “the worst possible scenario happened, where you go to your back with a huge lead.”

Try as his opponent might, Laurich refused to be pinned, spending the final 30 seconds bridged up on his head, shoulders precious inches from the mat, and somehow U-Hi hung on.

“You don’t know how much energy it takes in that situation,” said Owen. “You don’t have an idea until you’re there, when you’re fighting for your life and your team’s life.”

The ending melodrama was but one act in this match of many parts. Coaches from both teams were forced to show their hands throughout the night while jockeying wrestlers in various weights to their best advantage.

Owen said that the Bullpups showed great heart in avoiding two major decisions and projected pins or technical falls.

But the Titans responded in kind, by winning eight matches, not the least of which was Ryan Brewer’s 10-3 decision at 152 pounds with his team trailing 7-0 early.

“When we went down, I knew what needed to happen,” said Brewer. “We needed to get some momentum going. He had beaten me earlier, but it wasn’t going to happen again.”

Brewer was one of six seniors who secured victories, including by Gordon Moore in overtime at 178 pounds and Josh Buege on a takedown with 13 seconds left, both by 3-1 scores.

Dave Courchaine and Ben Osborn, moved up to 171, and of course, Laurich got the others.

“Tommy Owen’s match was big, too,” said his uncle. “He needed to win by at least four points so we get get at least a tie. He told me before he went out, `Coach, I’m going to pin him,’ and he got it done.”

Coupled with Todd Slatter’s major decision, it was enough to weather two pins and two major decisions by Prep wrestlers that led to a 26-19 advantage with two matches to go.

“Boy there were a lot of close matches,” said Bullpup coach Phil McLean. “Like all duals you win one you don’t expect and lose one or two you don’t expect. It was wild. That was fun, though.”

Two weeks loom big for Knights

East Valley’s hopes to tie for a GSL wrestling title now rest on the following:

The Knights must beat Rogers on Wednesday and hope the Pirates beat U-Hi the next night. Then EV must beat Gonzaga Prep in its finale.

“Rogers has quite a week with those back-to-back matches,” said Knight coach Craig Hanson. “I wish that hadn’t happened. Assuming we win, which we have to do to stay in it, they’ll be spent emotionally. All it really does is help U-Hi.”

Hanson figures he’ll go head up with his wrestlers against EV’s remaining challenges.

“To be perfectly honest I don’t think we’re moving anyone,” he said. “Someone has to knock off U-Hi, so I’ll probably just leave them alone and let them wrestle.”

Tournament results

University and East Valley combined for 10 finalists in the 14 weight classes at the Pacific Northwest Classic wrestling tournament.

The host Titans won the meet over EV with 202.5 points to 186.5. Titans Owen (125), Laurich (135) and Osborn (160) and Knights John Sommer (112) and Isaiah Hankel (152) won championships.

Finishing second were Slatter (119), Buege (275) and EV’s Mike Devenere (130), Dave Musser (145) and Josh Birt (189).

Moore (189) and Ryan Montang (103) were third-place Titans. EV’s Kelhan Corn (125) and CV’s Andy Brownson (160) placed fourth.

Freeman, which opened its Northeast A League season Thursday by beating Liberty 47-25, finished third in its tournament with Matt Reeves and Brandon Marchand winning titles at 140 and 215 respectively. Travis Duncan finished second at 171.

Finishing third were Marc Hildescheim (119) Chris Fulkerson (135), Tyson Marchand (145) and Adam Howard (189). Josh Newton was fourth at 103.

Taut all-around chase

Central Valley’s girls gymnastic team may have the upper hand in the GSL, but the individual all-around chase is anybody’s guess.

Bear sophomore April Mims, who won the all-around title last weekend in an invitational at Port Orchard, has been beaten twice in league, by Lakeside’s Katie Dinsmore and North Central’s Amber Baines.

The unbeaten Bears are ranked third in state and are six wins away from an unbeaten first GSL title.

U-Hi’s one-two punch of Alicia Brandle and Marci Hulbert weren’t enough to catch Dinsmore or league runnerup Ferris, the Titans losing by a mere .05 point.

NEA showdown tonight

Like teams will square off when Freeman travels to Liberty tonight in the Northeast A League boys basketball opener.

The Scotties are 10-2, the Lancers 9-3. Freeman has three players who score in double figures, Jeff Hyndman (16.0), Tanner Townsend (13.4) and Bill DePell (13.2).

Liberty counters with four double figures scorers, Henry Smith (13.8), Jake Holling (12.4), Ben Holling (12.3) and Derrick Repp (10.0).

Freeman is defending league co-champion and a State A qualifier. Liberty, new to the league, came on late last season to qualify for the State B tournament.

Game is one of six NEA counters for the two schools, who meet again at Freeman on Jan. 29.

Tri-Star basketball

The Spokane Valley Optimist Club will conduct its annual Tri-Star Basketball event on Thursday at Centennial Middle School.

Registration begins at 6 p.m. for boys and girls ages 8-13.

Awards will be presented in divisions for shooting, passing and dribbling.

For information, call 924-3040.